FIRST Robotics Team Participates in White House RoundtableJuly 3, 2009

Team 116 group shot, outside the west wing of the White House with Olympic medalist Dominique Dawes.

FIRSTâ„¢ (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, was honored to have one of its FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams participate in the White House Roundtable marking the 37th anniversary of Title IX. The landmark legislation provides equal access to all educational resources for young women in the U.S., including those involved in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

FRC Team 116, an all-female team of 10 students jointly sponsored by Epsilon Delta, Herndon High (Va.) High School and NASA’s David Lavery, Program Executive for Solar System Exploration, was recognized at the event as an example of how Title IX has safeguarded young women’s access to science and math education. The panel included White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, Education Secretary Arne Duncan as well as athletes Billie Jean King and Dominique Dawes, both champions of Title IX.

The roundtable focused on efforts to encourage women to pursue aspirations in fields that have been historically underrepresented such as science and technology. The White House Council on Women and Girls is working closely with the federal government and all government agencies to understand how to elevate issues related to girls in the country.